Bloomberg defended his budget cuts to the school lunch programs and library funding. [Colin Campbell]

Bloomberg, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and City Comptroller John Liu announced a $500 million plan to help repair schools and hospitals damaged by the storm. [Celeste Katz]

Bill Thompson: "The steps announced today by the city are welcome, as it moves forward to make sure our school system meets the challenges of this crisis. It should not take 14 days to find out that three major New York City public hospitals are so significantly damaged and in desperate need of repair. Two weeks after Hurricane Sandy, those who are powerless and without a voice, living in 23 NYCHA buildings are being ignored. Many seniors, families and city workers are trapped in the cold and dark. This is not indicative of a world-class response to a crisis."